Hello my name is Steven Blake

On July last year I qualified as a teacher specializing teaching people with learning disabilities. While on the course I had 4 deaf students within my class and 1 communication support, therefore I found it very difficult to split the students up equally and teach them on an equal level.

This left me very uneasy at the lack of support provided within the class and motivated me to learn British sign language (BSL) as I felt that if I knew how to sign, then I could be 1 extra communication support and help my students to strive.

I paid £400 out of my own money to complete level 1. This let me into a different world, a world with a different culture, different view of life and I loved every moment of it. I have now become friends with many deaf people and helped others when in need. From this experience I was shocked at how and why deaf people stay within their own community and don't often mix because of the lack of communication and confidence. I have even met some wonderful people and very good friends and some I see as being my of best friends. But my skills are limited to level 1 vocabulary and communication is still difficult.

I want to start BSL level 2 in October. However the course costs £550 and there is no funding available for the course at all! Believe me I've looked everywhere! So I thought if I could set up this go funding page. Not only would I be to start the second part of my BSL journey, but the skills that I have learned can be used to bring more confidence to the deaf community and help and support those in need. I could be another person to fill the void between the deaf and hearing world.

I wouldn't normally ask for donations as it's not normally my thing but I'm trying to continue this along side my QTLS course for my teaching and I can't afford both. I fear if I have a big gap between course I will forget everything.

I ask you to make a donation and I thank you in advance.

Kind regards